How Gregg Popovich sees Wembanyama's role evolving for the Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama took the court Thursday with one goal: to send a message. And that message came through loud and clear in the 106-88 win over the Utah Jazz.

For Wembanyama, the evening was a testament to his potential to be both a goalscorer and a strong defensive player, something few players of his stature can claim. The 7-foot-4 phenom finished the game with 25 points, nine rebounds and broke into exclusive territory with a second 5×5 performance – making him one of only three players in NBA history, along with Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrei Kirilenko, to do so Milestone reached.

Coach Gregg Popovich commented on Wembanyama's unique style of play after the game.

READ: WEMBANYAMA FINDS DEATH AT SPUR'S FIRST ROAD ANGLE

“He’s more of a perimeter player than a post player,” Popovich said. “We want him to be able to do everything: isolate, shoot, do the whole thing. We just can't do everything at once. It depends on the situation and events.”

Clearly, the Spurs aren't interested in pushing him into a traditional center role. Rather, they take advantage of his ability to bolster defenses and create mismatches.

Offensively, Wembanyama's 13 attempts from distance against Utah show how important distance and range are to the Spurs' vision for his development. As he drew defenders to the sidelines, he opened up lanes for his teammates and forced Utah's big men into uncomfortable positions on the field.

Schematically, the Spurs are experimenting with high pick-and-roll and handoff moves designed to involve Wembanyama beyond the break and allow him to either roll to the rim or come out for a three-pointer.

That kind of flexibility keeps defenders guessing, especially when Wembanyama is acting as a ballhandler in pick-and-roll situations. His three-point volume may seem unconventional for someone his size, but it maximizes the space he can create.

Wembanyama's skills and Popovich's approach take the Spurs into a new era with echoes of their previous philosophy.

This time, however, the team's look is fresh, based on versatility, constant movement and a modern positional flexibility that no one can match as well as Wembanyama.

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